Origin
Brackenridge, PA
Morning in Brackenridge on Tuesday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brackenridge, PA to Reading, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
263.5 mi
424 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brackenridge, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
Brackenridge to Reading is 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 2m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a largely highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it's a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.7 miles from Brackenridge, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 239.8 mi | 4h 21m |
| US 222 | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| US 222 BUS | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Allegheny Valley Expressway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Colonel Howard Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Bull Creek Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Russellton Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 10th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 239.8 mi, about 4h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brackenridge, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Cornelia Street
102 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cornelia Street
2
Turn straight onto Morgan Street
463 ft
·
25 sec
·
Morgan Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
9th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Horner Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
Horner Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto Freeport Road
413 ft
·
10 sec
·
Freeport Road
6
Continue on East 10th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 10th Avenue
7
Turn right onto PA 366; Red Belt
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bull Creek Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward PA 28 South: Pittsburgh
9
Merge onto PA 28
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Allegheny Valley Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 12
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
151 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Russellton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Hite Road
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Hite Road
13
Turn left onto Russellton Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Russellton Road
14
Continue on Little Deer Creek Valley Road
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Little Deer Creek Valley Road
15
Continue on Pearl Avenue
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Pearl Avenue
16
At end of road, turn right onto Freeport Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Freeport Road
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward PATP
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 76; PATP
240 mi
·
4 hr 21 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
22
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
24
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 222
25
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 222
26
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Franklin Street
29
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Consider departing in the morning to make the most of daylight hours for this 5h 2m drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, it's a good idea to fill up before you leave Brackenridge. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is your main artery for most of the journey, so be aware of potential toll costs and service plazas for any necessary breaks. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but breaking it up with a stop around the halfway point could make the 239.8-mile stretch on the Turnpike more comfortable.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.7 miles from Brackenridge, PA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.7 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reading, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brackenridge, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brackenridge, PA
This is one driving day of about 263.5 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Brackenridge, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 239.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.7 miles from Brackenridge, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 239.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 257.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Cheswick, Springdale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
8
7.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Russellton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Russellton
8
9.3 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
249.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
7
257.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
US 222 BUS
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shill...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.68 one way
$87.37 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $47.84 | $95.69 |
| premium | $4.93 | $51.10 | $102.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.18 | $116.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $31.18
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(239.8 mi)
$31.18
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.67 | $12.65 |
| Efficient EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.06 | $10.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.4 | 1 | $36.89 | $16.86 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
67°F
Hancock, MD
132 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 190.8
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 81.8
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 227.1
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 99.9
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 54.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with a 98% highway share. For the most part, you'll be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which features a substantial longest stretch of 239.8 miles without needing to exit. This means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal turns, making for a predictable driving experience. The final portion involves US 222 and its business loop, offering a slight shift in scenery and pace as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 263.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brackenridge, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Ephrata along the way.
Ephrata
249.3 mi in
|
~4h 39m
About the Cities
Arriving in Reading, PA
Full guide →Reading is a historic city of about 95,000 (2020 Census) in Pennsylvania, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, 35 miles southwest of Allentown and 55 miles east of Harrisburg. It punches above its weight in culture, and its downtown features some iconic buildings, so consider making it a stopover on your way between any of these and other area cities.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 263.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $31.18 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Reading, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Reading, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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